We've been reviewing cordless finish nailers for years. In fact, many products are in second or even third generation tools. Still, should you jump in and pick up one of these battery-powered nailers? Just in case you're spending your hard-earned cash on something that sounds too good to be true, we've put together an excellent guide on pneumatic vs cordless nailers. After all, you don't want to get burned when it comes to a tool so important to your business.
Cordless nailers may seem like a bit of a shock compared to their air-powered cousins. A cordless nailer like the Milwaukee M18 FUEL 18ga Brad Nailer runs about $279 bare. Compare that with offerings from Makita, Senco, and DeWalt for $70 to $99 for similar pneumatics.
However, neither tool works alone. The cordless model comes with a 3Ah battery and charger for $399. For pneumatics you want to use a good quality compressor like the Rolair VT25BIG. Add hoses and fittings and your cost of entry is on a cordless nailer.
Another cost consideration is that most professionals won't live off just one nail gun. Adding a narrow crown stapler and a larger finishing stapler, such as a 15 or 16 gauge, is standard of course. If you use the Milwaukee M18 FUEL nailers, they run around $299 without batteries and charger. With the kit, you'll pay $399 to $429.
In fact, if you don't have other batteries from the same platform in your arsenal, you'll want at least one of them with a battery. On the other hand, you can buy pneumatics for about half the price or less.
Pneumatic vs. Cordless Nailers: Ergonomics
Ergonomics has little to do with the design of the handle and rubber overmolding in this debate. The first consideration is weight, which easily supports an aerodynamic model. Even accounting for the weight of the sagging hose, there's a big difference between a hardcover stapler that weighs about 2 pounds and a battery-operated model that can push 7 pounds or more.
However, it doesn't end with the weight. With a cordless nailer, you don't have to lug around the hose at all. You won't trip over it, it won't lose the nailer's balance as you work at different heights and angles, and you won't be chained to a specified length. There is also no compressor noise in the background. This is an important benefit if you work in an area where people are present.
Pneumatic and Cordless Nailer Performance
Having tested most of the current batch of battery-operated rechargeable nailers on the market, they perform very well. Most perform as expected and deliver hassle-free nails. Neither air-powered nor cordless nailers can stay interference-free forever, but proper maintenance can keep them firing effectively.
However, you will usually notice a significant difference in the firing cycle. As you might expect, a pneumatic nailer fires as soon as you pull the trigger. Cordless models usually don't launch as fast. Part of this has to do with the different mechanisms these battery-operated nailers use. Broadly speaking, there are currently two battery nailing technologies on the market:
Freewheel-Based Cordless Nailers
Cordless nailers that use a flywheel require the flywheel to spin up (speed up) before driving the nail. So it takes a second or so for the first nail to fire. It can be frustrating and feels very different from air tools. Porter-Cable, Bostitch, and DeWalt cordless nailers all use flywheel technology.
Nitrogen cylinder based cordless nailer
The defining feature of gas cylinder nailers is that they use a fixed volume of nitrogen. The tool uses a battery and an electric motor to pressurize this cylinder. Once pressurized, it fires instantly—much like a pneumatic nail gun. The system works as a closed loop system.
Thanks to the (usually brushless) motor applying force on the upstroke, the driver shoots a nail the instant he pulls the trigger. We prefer these nailers to the freewheel models. They also tend to be smaller in size because they use a more compact launch mechanism. The Milwaukee, Senco, and Metabo HPT cordless nailers all work with such a system.
Cordless vs. Air Nailers: Run Times
It doesn't seem fair considering the runtimes of these two nailers. Air nailers will run until your power dies, or you have to wait for the air compressor to restart. With a compact battery, the cordless nailer with the shortest run time can still drive hundreds of nails on a single charge. Some nailers are capable of firing over 1600 rounds on a single charge.
Where things get interesting is when the nail gun stops. For cordless models, you replace the batteries and place the spent batteries on the charger. Even with a compact battery, you're unlikely to get better than two batteries that are cycling.
For longer and bigger jobs, a pneumatic nailer still makes sense. Rarely is there a problem with the power supply, compressor or hoses. For most jobs, runtime is not the limiting factor. Instead, we return again to weight and overall ergonomics.
Maintenance of Pneumatic and Cordless Nailers
Compared to battery-operated cordless nailers, air nailers come in a simpler design. However, there are many more components tied together in pneumatics. You have to make sure your hoses are not leaking. The coupler and NPT connections need to be well sealed.
The compressor should have enough gas, otherwise you'll need to plug it into a reliable power source. You also have to remember to oil the nailer daily and keep track of the compressor oil level (if needed).
With cordless nailers, all of these considerations become invalid. All you need is a few batteries to start working. However, you do have more moving parts. You also have electronics and motors. Unlike simple mechanical air tools, cordless nailers bring additional complexity to an otherwise simple tool.
The manufacturer's warranty really comes into play when we consider the maintenance of pneumatic versus cordless nailers. Since most people lack the training and skills to truly repair a battery powered nailer, having some warranty resources will give you an idea of at least how long you can reasonably expect to use the tool.
Pneumatic vs. Cordless Nailers: Installation and Removal
Just for fun, I decided to time the time it took from getting my gear off the truck to when I shot my first nail. With a pneumatic combination, two strokes are required. The first time with a compressor, the second with a nail gun and hose. Sure, you have nails and other material, but the same can happen with cordless nailers.
By the time I got the gear, found a bung, connected the hose and nailer, and got the compressor up to working pressure, I had put in 6+ minutes.
My cordless nailer only took 30 seconds from pulling it off the truck to firing the first nail.
I'm just testing on the ground. When you add in the hiking through or around the house to the backyard or upstairs, the hours start to pile up. During the course of the day, you will find that you also have to keep moving the compressor and hoses.
Then, at the end of the day, it would take the same two trips to get the pneumatics back to the truck. You will only be more tired then. Using a cordless nailer system can easily save you 30 minutes after changing a few rooms. The more you move around the job site, the more time you save.
the bottom line
So, should you go cordless or stick with traditional pneumatics?
If you can afford it – get both. That is not escape. We own and use both types, as do most of the professionals we work with.
For larger projects, we still recommend a pneumatic nailer. This includes framing, building in or trimming the entire house. This makes sense from a cost and ergonomic standpoint. Pneumatic solutions cost less and the tool weighs less in your hand because you can use it for a long time.
But with a battery-operated cordless nailer, you'll get through punch lists and project work faster. Smaller jobs can be done faster with cordless tools.
At the end of the day, both air-powered and cordless nailers have their place. I'm not ready to say either one will fully replace the other anytime soon.
What do you think of the pneumatic vs. cordless nailer debate? Let us know by commenting below or giving us a shout out on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!